Education, Schools
Education system
The Czech education system is based on a long tradition beginning in 1774, when compulsory school attendance was instituted. Currently, there are all types of education – starting with preschool, through elementary, secondary, university and postgraduate and ongoing education.
About 4 million people have the complete secondary education and 0,5 million university education.
Preschool education is served by creches and nursery schools as a complement to family-based education.
Elementary education – nine-year Compulsory school attendance
from the age of 6 till the age of 15. Since the school year 2004/05, also Waldorf schools, Montessori nursery and elementary schools and Montessori elementary schools level II were established as alternative education programmes for a period of testing:
Secondary education
Pupils who have fulfilled the nine-year compulsory school attendance can apply for study at a secondary school. Secondary education can be achieved by students also at eight-year or, more precisely, six-year grammar schools at which they have already completed several classes of elementary education.
Tertiary education
Tertiary education is included in studies following completed secondary education with a leaving exam. Tertiary education includes advanced vocational and university education. The teaching system is almost identical with the system at the college, vocational colleges; however, certain rules of secondary education apply (holidays, fixed timetables, etc.).
Higher vocational education deepens general and professional knowledge and takes three years in the daily form, practice included, and three and a half years for medicine and certain other fields of study. Study is finished by a certificate, a specific exam on selected subjects, a practical exam and the defense of a graduate examination paper – of course, everything in relation to the subject studied. Together with the certificate, students are awarded the title of certified specialist (the abbreviation DiS. is added after a name).
At vocational colleges, students must pay tuition fees. These tuition fees range from several thousand Czech crowns per year to several tens of thousands.
University education is available to all applicants with completed secondary education (i.e. leaving exam) who successfully pass the entrance exam. The system of entrance exams is specified individually by each college, and serves for testing the knowledge and skills of applicants.
Most universities have the following accredited degree programmes:
Bachelor's: Usually a three-year course of study in which students get an elementary survey of highly specialized areas. Students can either leave their studies after these three years, or they can complete it by means of a leaving exam including the defense of a bachelor's thesis, or may continue into the master's programme, where they can achieve a narrower specialization.
Master's: Operates either as five-year (or, more precisely, six-year), or as two-year programmes following bachelor's studies. During the course, students gain both a basic survey of highly specialized subjects and a certain grade of specialization. The programme culminates with students taking required state leaving exams and defending their diploma thesis.
Engineering: Relates to technical and economic fields.
After students pass these types of university study, some continue in their specialization through doctoral programmes. Passing this programme is often conditioned with certain publication work and sometimes also by training.
At college, students can study either in attendance form (formerly daily study), distance form (formerly extramural studies), or combine both forms of study (combined study).
Besides standard types of study, colleges offer also other forms of education: retraining study, university for seniors, studies oriented toward pedagogical qualification, etc.
Some schools in the CR provide study programmes leading to the degree of Master's of Business Administration (MBA).
Ongoing education
Within the frame of ongoing education programmes, universities implement a variety of courses intended e.g. for those who are interested in study, university graduates, seniors, and also students and other interested from practice. The courses focus either on learning a skill or trade, or on the study of areas of interest. In addition, some universities organize a so-called University for Seniors. This is intended for seniors who are interested in gaining new knowledge in select areas of study, and is usually free.
How to study in the CR as a foreigner
http://www.czech.cz/
Foreign students who meet some basic requirements can attend Czech universities and also secondary and primary schools. Except for specialized schools, most institutions require a knowledge of the Czech language.
Primary school education
Foreign children completing their compulsory education at primary or special schools receive their education for free, as do Czech citizens. Admission of a foreigner eligible for compulsory education is subject to presentation of a Czech residency permit.
Classes in primary schools are taught in Czech. Education at primary and secondary schools can be also in a foreign language, but only with the permission of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Citizens of EU member states may require free-of-charge tutoring including Czech classes; this option is not available to citizens of third countries. In addition, children of asylum-seekers are entitled to Czech classes.
In addition to schools with extensive foreign-language programmes, there are also schools where all subjects are taught in a foreign language. These are usually private schools that require the children's parents pay an appropriate school tuition.
Secondary school education
If the student proves within the admissions proceedings that he/she is able to study in the Czech language, his/her education is free of charge. The admission of a foreign student is subject to presenting a certificate of legal residence in the Czech Republic.
An applicant having completed his/her primary education at a school abroad must present a certificate of attestation equality issued by the school abroad or a certificate of education featuring a recognition clause.
The scores achieved by foreign students in the subject of Czech language and literature will be assessed in light of the student's grasp of the Czech language. Language insufficiencies are deemed an objective reason giving rise to the failure to classify the student in the first year of his/her secondary school studies.
University education
Foreign students study at tertiary schools under the same conditions as Czech citizens, provided that they are able to study in Czech. Therefore, since Czech students are not required to pay for their studies, the same conditions apply to foreign students.
Foreign students wishing to study at a Czech tertiary school in another language than the Czech language must pay tuition. At private tertiary schools, all students are required to pay tuition; the same conditions apply to Czech citizens and foreigners alike.
If students are unable to pay for their studies and living expenses, they can try to apply to some of the scholarship programmes .
Admissions for study at a tertiary school is subject to the completion of a full secondary or full secondary vocational education.
More information about the education system can be found under
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (http://www.msmt.cz/education)
www.czech.cz/en/work-study/
The EXPATS.cz portal provides links to a wide range of education institutions: http://www.expats.cz/directory/
Some international schools in the CR:
British International School, The (BISP)
Founded in 1992 to serve both the Czech and international communities.
BISP Main Office, K lesu 2 , Prague 4
Christian International School of Prague
Perunova 6, Prague 3
Global Concepts Montessori International School
For children from 1.5 till 6 years in diverse, family-like environment. Nad Zelivkou 598, Prague 6
International Montessori School of Prague
Hrudickova 2107, Prague 4 – Roztyly
International School of Music and Fine Arts Prague
The Academy of Performing Arts, a state university, ranks among the best music and arts institutions in the world. (various), Prague 1, 4 & 6
International School of Prague - ISP
Founded in 1948, ISP is the only internationally accredited school in the Czech Republic. Nebusicka 700, Prague 6
NestLingue
Offering children A motivating environment for their natural development in order to discover the surrounding world. V Parku 2308/8, Prague 4 – Chodov
Panda Learning Center
English preschool, after school and Saturday programmes for children aged 1.5-8. Address: Čerchovska 4, Prague 2
Prague College
A complete range of diploma and degree programmes in business, computing, interactive media and graphic design. Polska 10, Prague 2 – Vinohrady
Riverside School
An international approach to education based on the British National Curriculum. Roztocka 9, Prague 6 - Sedlec
The English College in Prague, o.p.s.
Offers a British-style education in English with an international dimension for 320 boys and girls aged 13-19. Sokolovska 320, Prague 9 – Vysocany
The English International School, Prague (EISP)
Following Early Learning Goals, Foundation and Key Stage components of the National Curriculum of England and Wales.
Na Okruhu 395, Prague 4
University of Northern Virginia Business Administration, International Relations, Public Relations, Tourism & Hospitality, and Management Systems. Na Porici 12 , Prague 1
Diamond Forest Independant School Educating in British A Levels and GCSEs. Rekreacni Stredisko, Czech Republic, Jestrebi
International School of Olomouc Founded in 2000 as an independent satellite campus of the International School of Prague.
Rooseveltova 101, Olomouc
MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL-MIS
International education, from kindergarten to high. Frydlantska 1350/1, Prague 8
The Little Prince Day Care Center English speaking day Care available Mon.-Fri. from 7:30-6:00pm for children ages 2-6.
Severovýchodní IV/25, Prague 4 – Sporilov
CMC Graduate School of Business (http://www.cmc.cz/)
Náměstí 5.května 2, 250 88 Čelákovice
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